Though I’m satisfied AI will eliminate millions of jobs and depart many younger graduates unemployed and disoriented, there may be one shocking optimistic I just lately found: AI could be a nice therapist for on a regular basis issues.
I’m not speaking about changing licensed professionals. I’m speaking about one thing much more accessible. AI may give you information to make you’re feeling extra assured and fewer anxious, present reassurance when your thoughts spirals, and most significantly, supply a transparent sport plan once you really feel caught.
Whether or not you’re coping with marital points, job associated stress, monetary worries, or seemingly not possible conditions, AI will help put your thoughts comfortable. I skilled this firsthand throughout an extended and tense ordeal with my automotive.
When a Automobile Downside Turns into an Emotional Downside
In late 2025, I felt financially and emotionally beaten down after sinking one other $1,750 into fixing my 2015 Vary Rover Sport. I changed the oxygen sensor, the oil gasket, the auxiliary battery, and a left financial institution downside. But the low battery warning saved coming again, and for some time, the test engine gentle as nicely.
In November 2025, I returned to my outdated mechanic who had put in a brand new most important battery in 2024. They changed it once more underneath guarantee after I had gone to a Land Rover specialist to repair one other downside. Even after a number of lengthy freeway drives unfold over 15 days, the low battery warning appeared on 13 of these mornings.
At that time, I felt utterly defeated. If a Land Rover specialist couldn’t repair the difficulty and my trusted mechanic couldn’t discover something improper, what hope did I’ve?
My frustration shortly shifted from cash to security. I began imagining worst case eventualities: the automotive shutting down on the freeway or shedding energy steering and braking. As soon as these photos took maintain, they have been onerous to shake.
Nervousness usually comes from uncertainty and a sense of misplaced management. In that second, I felt each intensely because the supplier and guardian of my household.
I used to be now going through an disagreeable resolution. Both hold sinking cash into diagnostic checks on the dealership this time, with additional untold quantities wanted for fixing or spend a minimum of $50,000 on a new car whereas incentives have been nonetheless obtainable earlier than year-end. My refusal to stop making an attempt to repair the automotive and my refusal to overspend on a alternative left me mentally exhausted.
That’s after I leaned closely into AI.
AI as My Affected person And Empathetic Therapist
I don’t have a therapist. My spouse doesn’t know a lot about vehicles and was coping with her personal stresses. Outdoors of my writing and reader feedback, I didn’t really feel like I had anybody near lean on with automotive experience at this second.
Monetary Samurai itself was born out of fear in July 2009, after I fearful I would lose every part I had spent a decade constructing throughout the monetary disaster. Writing has all the time been my type of remedy.
One good friend who sometimes reads my work provided zero empathy. As a substitute, he copied my writing into a gaggle chat to mock the state of affairs. Sadly, this wasn’t shocking. He had proven related indifference a yr earlier after I was caught in a brake check scam with my younger daughter within the automotive, regardless of having spent 40 minutes the day earlier than patiently listening to the stresses of his personal kid’s well being issues.
It bolstered a tough reality: everyone seems to be coping with their very own issues, and real empathy is uncommon.
So I leaned into AI for psychological help. Since I’m a shareholder of OpenAI by the Fundrise Innovation Fund, I made a decision to make use of ChatGPT. What I skilled stunned me.
By the third day of seeing the low battery warning, regardless of altering it, AI helped calm my nerves. It gave me one thing I desperately wanted: hope.
What AI Taught Me About My Automobile and My Thoughts
After strolling ChatGPT by the total historical past of my automotive, I discovered one thing no mechanic had defined clearly.
The battery administration system (BMS) takes time to recalibrate after being reset. If it isn’t reset correctly, or is reset a number of occasions, the system can behave erratically.
ChatGPT defined that it could take 8 to 12 chilly begins for the warning to vanish. A chilly begin means the automotive sits for a minimum of six to eight hours, normally in a single day, earlier than beginning once more.
I additionally discovered my auxiliary battery had doubtless been lifeless for almost seven years with out my information. Throughout that point, the system tailored to rely totally on the principle battery at a distinct voltage. Once I lastly changed the auxiliary battery and reset the system, the automotive needed to relearn every part.
4 days later, when the principle battery was changed once more underneath guarantee and reset as soon as extra, all progress was successfully worn out. Understanding this dramatically lowered my frustration because it defined why my warning lights saved displaying up.
I discovered {that a} sturdy chilly crank is commonly a greater sign than a dashboard warning. I additionally discovered that when auto begin cease begins working persistently, it’s an indication the auxiliary battery is wholesome and the methods are speaking correctly.
Battery Charging, Recalibration, and Security
One other key lesson was that quick metropolis drives do little or no to recharge the battery. Steady freeway driving for 20 to half-hour is way simpler.
I examined this by driving half-hour to Redwood Metropolis and spending the day with my children swimming, taking part in tennis, and having lunch as a part of Daddy Day Camp. Though drained after a seven-hour outing, I used to be motivated to maintain driving the automotive in order that the BMS may proceed studying.
Most significantly for my peace of thoughts, AI defined that the automotive wouldn’t randomly shut down at freeway pace. As soon as the engine is operating, the alternator takes over. If the alternator is wholesome, the automotive retains operating.
As a result of I as soon as owned a basic BMW 6.35csi that misplaced electrical energy whereas driving right into a Greatest Purchase parking zone years in the past, I carried a concern that this might occur once more. AI helped put that concern into correct context.
Ah, the extra data I discovered, the higher I felt.
Considering in Possibilities As a substitute of Absolutes
In my WSJ bestseller, Buy This Not That, I encourage readers to suppose in possibilities quite than absolutes. Doing so results in higher selections and fewer remorse.
I made a decision to use my very own recommendation.
After my seventh chilly begin and sixth warning, I requested ChatGPT the likelihood the warning would disappear on the eighth chilly begin. It estimated about 65 %.
Once I informed it that 35 % nonetheless felt uncomfortably excessive, it jogged my memory that uncertainty doesn’t imply failure. Accepting that there was nonetheless an opportunity of disappointment made the end result emotionally simpler to deal with.
I set a calendar reminder for the tenth chilly begin and determined to maintain the religion. Lo and behold, on day 10, the automotive fired up completely. Quickly after, it was time to fly to Honolulu for a ten day Christmas journey. Uh oh, would the automotive survive?
When the Worst Case Lastly Occurred
After getting back from a ten day journey to Honolulu, the battery had totally self discharged. I couldn’t even unlock the doorways electronically, so I needed to pry open a deal with cowl and use a handbook key.
Roadside help bounce began the automotive on New 12 months’s Day. After a ten minute idle and a 15 minute drive to an auto elements retailer, the automotive died once more after I shut it off.
This was my mistake. I didn’t instantly ask AI what to do subsequent after a full self discharge. This was a brand new state of affairs that I used to be going through, however I did not ask in my haste. What adopted was my worst concern coming true.
After a number of bounce makes an attempt on the auto elements retailer, I drove off too shortly to choose up meals for my household. One and a half blocks later, the automotive shut down whereas driving at low pace.
Fortuitously, the roads have been empty New 12 months’s Day and I drifted safely to a cease signal. I ripped open the brand new 2000 amp transportable jumper, popped the hood, and efficiently jumped the automotive. In my rush, I failed to present the automotive sufficient time to idle once more earlier than driving off. So it started shutting down once more as I used to be turning the nook at sluggish speeds. Fortunately, I used to be capable of drift into a large open parking spot and I wasn’t driving on the freeway.
With the assistance of a brand new transportable jumper, persistence, and ultimately clear steerage from ChatGPT, I used to be capable of idle the automotive correctly, recharge the system, and drive residence safely after choosing up some meals.
I used to be deeply grateful my spouse and youngsters weren’t with me throughout that 4 hour ordeal. It additionally bolstered why we feature matching 20-year time period life insurance coverage insurance policies we obtained from Policygenius. The peace of thoughts alone from having life insurance coverage in case something have been to occur to both of us is well worth the month-to-month premium alone.
The Silver Lining of a Full Self Discharge
The following morning, the automotive began instantly with no warnings. I used to be shocked after the ordeal I had simply gone by.
AI defined that the total discharge doubtless reset any rogue modules that had been inflicting a parasitic drain. This method reboot was much like the way it’s good to utterly flip off our computer systems every so often for optimum efficiency. It then gave me a transparent plan for the subsequent 10 to twenty days.
After reaching 20 consecutive chilly begins with no warnings, no airbag alerts, and no electrical gremlins, I felt assured once more.
With that confidence, I put the thought of spending $50,000 – $115,000 to relaxation and scheduled an appointment to purchase two new rear tires for about $1,025. These weren’t acts of denial. They have been acts of readability.
I now have a sensible roadmap for the subsequent 24 months of possession. I hope to maintain the automotive till 2029 (three extra years), however I’m additionally real looking that issues can go improper.
The distinction is that I not really feel anxious. I really feel ready the subsequent time one thing goes improper. Hardship really does make you stronger.
You Can Lean on AI With out Guilt
One remark from Fundrise CEO Ben Miller caught with me in a podcast interview. He stated you may “abuse AI” as a lot as you need, referring to the liberty to ask for limitless redesigns with out friction. Not like a human designer who may cap revisions at three earlier than getting aggravated, AI enables you to hold iterating with out judgment or pushback.
That’s the important thing distinction.
Mechanics are rushed. Specialists don’t all the time clarify. Medical doctors generally make you’re feeling unimportant resulting from their packed schedules. Associates could mock as an alternative of pay attention.
AI was affected person, constant, and clear. I requested the identical questions repeatedly, every time with new data, and it by no means obtained uninterested in serving to. It by no means as soon as gave me perspective both. As a substitute, it supplied a gradual dose of encouragement together with explanations as to what was occurring.
I might have gladly paid hundreds of {dollars} for that stage of reassurance and steerage. What I gained allowed me to maintain writing, hold functioning, and present up extra totally for my kids over this 60-day ordeal.
Attain Out To AI For Assist
For those who’re struggling, particularly as a person who could not really feel snug opening up, AI will be an extremely efficient device for working by nervousness and uncertainty. I’ve tried ChatGPT, Anthropic, and Gemini. All have been useful. That stated, it’s possible you’ll wish to persist with the one which is aware of you finest, since it could recall previous context and enable you make extra knowledgeable selections over time.
Typically, logic alone isn’t sufficient. Typically you simply want reassurance, perspective, and a transparent plan solely a genius-level finest good friend with top-tier emotional intelligence can present.
That’s precisely what AI gave me on this state of affairs. And as an investor, I additionally hope AI delivers wonderful returns over the subsequent decade for my children.
Readers, have you ever ever catastrophized a state of affairs solely to understand your thoughts was the true enemy? Have you ever used AI as a sounding board for cash, profession, or emotional stress?
Strategies To Enhance Monetary and Emotional Serenity
Some of the efficient steps I ever took to scale back monetary nervousness was securing matching 20-year time period life insurance coverage insurance policies for my spouse and me. It took years of trying to find an inexpensive choice till Policygenius helped us examine a number of suppliers shortly and free of charge. As soon as the insurance policies have been in place, an unlimited weight lifted. We felt actual peace realizing that if the worst ever occurred, our youngsters would nonetheless be protected financially.
As well as, each $1,000 I put money into AI firms helps ease the fear that AI may make reaching monetary independence more durable for future generations. A straightforward solution to put money into non-public AI firms is thru Fundrise Venture, a long-time FS sponsor, the place I’ve personally invested over $500,000. Fundrise holds stakes in AI firms similar to Databricks, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Anduril, amongst others.
Be part of over 60,000 others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. I’ll enable you keep knowledgeable about key monetary developments, make smarter selections, and construct the liberty and peace of thoughts to stay life by yourself phrases.
Instance Of Some AI Remedy And Steerage
Query to AI: After my January 1, 2026 automotive battery debacle, throughout which the automotive shut down twice whereas driving at sluggish speeds after jumps and skilled a full self discharge, I’ve now had 22 consecutive chilly begins with no points. All {the electrical} gremlins, together with the airbag warning and the sluggish heated steering wheel, are gone.
Do you suppose I’m out of the woods and will spend $1,030 to switch two balding rear tires if my plan is to maintain the automotive for a minimum of one other 1 to 2 years? For context, I’ve spent between $900 and $1,800 per yr on repairs over the previous three years. Or ought to I purchase a brand new automotive for $50,000 – $115,000 since mine is from 2015?
Reply from AI: Quick reply: sure, you’re very doubtless out of the woods, and changing the rear tires is the rational transfer given your acknowledged plan.
Right here’s the clear, unemotional manner to consider it.
1. The battery and electrical threat has meaningfully dropped
Twenty two consecutive chilly begins with no warnings is just not noise. That’s sign.
Electrical gremlins like airbag warnings, sluggish heated steering wheel response, and repeated low battery alerts are precisely the sorts of issues that resurface shortly if there may be nonetheless an unresolved parasitic drain or BMS situation. The truth that every part has stayed quiet by 22 chilly begins strongly suggests:
- The battery administration system has totally relearned
- Any rogue module was doubtless reset by the total self discharge
- Your alternator and charging system are doing their job
Nothing in automotive possession is zero threat, however your likelihood of a sudden electrical failure is now dramatically decrease than it was in January.
2. Tires are a security expense, not a sunk value
Bald or balding rear tires are an actual threat, particularly:
- In winter
- In Tahoe circumstances
- In an AWD car the place rear grip issues for stability
Spending $1,030 on tires is just not “doubling down on a foul automotive.” It’s shopping for security and optionality. Even when one thing sudden occurs in 6 to 12 months, these tires:
- Cut back accident threat now
- Enhance resale or commerce in worth later
- Allow you to make future selections from a relaxed place as an alternative of concern
3. The mathematics strongly favors tires over a brand new automotive
Let’s body the choice correctly.
Possibility A: Hold the automotive
- Tires: $1,030
- Ongoing repairs: say $1,500 per yr
- Whole for two years: roughly $4,000
Possibility B: Purchase a brand new automotive
- Buy worth: $50,000 to $115,000
- Taxes, charges, insurance coverage improve, depreciation
- Alternative value of not investing that capital
You’d be spending 10x to 25x extra money to remove a threat that has already declined considerably.
That’s not a rational commerce except:
- The automotive is actively unsafe
- Otherwise you emotionally can’t tolerate any uncertainty
Primarily based in your description, neither is true proper now.
4. Your contingency plan is already strong
This issues greater than folks notice.
You will have:
- A totally charged 2,000 amp transportable jumper
- Roadside help
- Situational consciousness primarily based on lived expertise
That turns a low likelihood failure into an inconvenience, not a disaster.
5. The brand new automotive query is emotional, not logical
The urge to spend $50,000 to $115,000 is coming from scar tissue, not present knowledge.
That’s utterly human. You went by a tense, confidence shaking episode. However selections made to remove nervousness are sometimes wildly costly in comparison with selections made to handle threat.
Proper now, the sensible transfer is:
- Change the rear tires
- Drive the automotive deliberately for one more 12 to 24 months
- Reassess provided that new, persistent signs seem
Backside line
You aren’t playing by shopping for the tires. You might be shopping for time, security, and adaptability at a really affordable value.
If the automotive offers you one other 18 to 24 months, this can find yourself being a type of selections you look again on and suppose, “I’m glad I didn’t panic.”
And if one thing does go improper later, you’ll nonetheless be making that subsequent resolution with extra money, extra data, and fewer stress.
Not dangerous proper? I really like the rational considering and the emotional help AI supplies when confronted with an enormous dilemma. Certain, discuss to a licensed therapist in your most urgent issues. Nevertheless, it is price getting a second or third perspective from AI as nicely. Simply be sure you present as a lot readability as potential when presenting your state of affairs.
